FFA will be starting up with their Leadership Development Competitions towards the end of October where they will be competing around the East Texas region. Leadership Developments Events (LDEs) include events such as speaking, handling parliamentary procedure and manufacturing different projects.

“I’m very excited about our LDE competitions this year,” agriculture teacher Stephen Hindman said. “Of course, now we are just starting our sign ups and talking about the LDEs we will be participating in.”

To compete in a LDE, one must be a member of the FFA. According to this years’ numbers, they have roughly 25 to 35 FFA members competing in a LDE Event.

“To state competition, we had one person advance— Ashlie Thompson,” Hindman said. “She competed in the senior creed speaking contest. She won our district and won our area. She placed top 20 in the state this last year out of 600 creed speakers.”

In our area, they will be competing against 22 to 25 schools. They compete against all of the Smith County schools including Robert E. Lee, John Tyler, Arp, and Troup, as well as competing against Van Zandt County and Wood County.

“Area 6 is a wide span from Canton all the way east to Waskom, as far north as Paris, Texas,” Hindman said. “Troup is the furthest south we go.”

LDEs are different than what other events the FFA has to offer. They include things such as Chapter Conducting, Broadcasting, Creed Speaking, Skills, Quiz, Job Interview, Agricultural Issues and Public Relations.

“FFA LDEs are very hands on with the speaking, so maybe I will be better prepared in a professional situation.” FFA member Tyler Thompson said. “I am super excited about advancing my abilities in that aspect.”